Phoenix Suns: Projecting the Suns' 2018-19 rotation

Phoenix Suns: Projecting the 2018-19 rotation

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 6: The Phoenix Suns huddle before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 6, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images /

The backup wings

I’ll admit that I was very surprised by both the Trevor Ariza signing and the Mikal Bridges trade, as I’ve written before. But the Phoenix Suns wouldn’t have given the former $15 million nor parted with two good assets for the latter if they didn’t plan on playing both heavy minutes.

I imagine Ariza is used as the sixth man and gets around 18 minutes per game. A player as good as him doesn’t give up a starting job on a title contender to sit on the bench all night, no matter how much he gets paid.

As a classic 3-and-D wing, he fits perfectly next to nearly anyone, at either forward position.

Bridges, at 14 minutes per game, is the second guy off the bench behind only Ariza, for many of the same reasons. Assuming he translates to the NBA as expected, he’ll be another versatile, low-usage player that can fit next to anyone.

If Bridges and Elie Okobo shoot well from the NBA 3-point line early on, they could absorb Troy Daniels’s minutes, as they both bring more to the table and have higher upside.

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